Joint communique: 3rd EU-AU Ministerial Meeting, 21 May 2025

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Member States of the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU) concluded their 3rd Ministerial Meeting, taking stock of progress on the Joint Vision for 2030 for a renewed Partnership, adopted at the 6th EU-AU Summit in 2022. This Ministerial paves the way for the 7th AU-EU Summit, which will take place in Africa, in 2025, marking 25 years of the partnership since the Cairo Summit in 2000. 
 
The meeting was co-chaired by H.E. Ms Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, and H.E. Mr Téte António, Minister of External Relations of the Republic of Angola and Chairperson of the African Union Executive Council. Ministers celebrated the participation of H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
 
Ministers celebrated that relations have grown in depth, mutual ambition and political importance over the past 25 years. This unique, strategic and mutual partnership, covering a large range of areas, involving all organs of both Unions, contributes directly to and aligns with the AU’s Agenda 2063 and the EU’s political priorities, consistent with our shared commitments to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement. Ministers noted that the EU-AU Partnership is overcoming past and current geopolitical challenges, demonstrating that our future lies in close cooperation and joint efforts to the mutual benefit of the people of Africa and Europe.
 
Ministers welcomed the progress achieved in implementing the commitments that AU and EU Heads of State and Government laid down in the Joint Vision for 2030. They took note of the preliminary monitoring report considered by the AU-EU Ministerial Follow-up Committee and encouraged its joint finalisation and submission to the next Summit. Ministers decided to strengthen the follow-up mechanism, by ensuring complementarity at Ministerial and technical level. Ministers agreed to continue monitoring and taking stock of the implementation of mutually beneficial commitments taken in the context of the Joint Vision for 2030. In this regard, Ministers agreed that the agenda and the programme of the 7th AU-EU Summit will include the review of progress made in the implementation of the commitments made in the Brussels declaration of the 6th EU-AU Summit held in 2022.
 
Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the EU-AU Partnership, based on shared values, mutual respect and interests, and its continued relevance and reliability, against the backdrop of shifting global dynamics, rising geopolitical tensions and geo-economic competition, instability and fragmentation, heightened conflict, deepening inequality, as well as the impact of demography and migration and the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution on our continents. In the face of this evolving political and socio-economic environment, collaborative efforts to strengthen their Partnership to effectively deliver on their joint agenda are critical to address common priorities, mutual interests and promote and protect shared values, notably human rights as well as the security and prosperity of their citizens.
 
Ministers underscored that as partners, they are working on shared interests for the common good of the people of the two continents. Our two Unions align on a shared vision and dedicate themselves to building a common future. Together, the European Union and the African Union represent and carry the voices, hopes and dreams of more than 1.9 billion people.
 
Ministers agreed that this meeting offered the opportunity to discuss how to continue to bring our economies and our peoples closer for the benefit of both continents, and to identify areas where we need to deepen our cooperation, by leveraging on the Global Gateway agenda, to scale-up global connectivity, and promote sustainable development and investment in Africa.
 
Ministers underscored their strong belief in effective multilateral cooperation and in the need to reform international institutions to collectively address shared global challenges. Ministers reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to act in accordance with international law, with the Charter of the United Nations and its Purposes and Principles at its core, including the principles of peaceful settlement of disputes, as well as the prohibition of the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state.
 
Ministers agreed that, guided by these principles, they support a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in Ukraine, the occupied Palestinian Territories, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Sahel and in other major wars and conflicts around the globe, including Syria.
 
Ministers reaffirmed their collective commitment to tackle all root causes of conflict and crisis, including all human rights violations, such as genocide and incitement to discrimination, hostility and violence as well as hate speech. They will also tackle climate change and environmental degradation. They will do so by promoting socio-economic and sustainable development and combating terrorism and its financing as well as rejecting foreign interference.

Prosperous and Sustainable agenda for Africa and Europe
 
Ministers welcomed the progress achieved in the implementation of the Global Gateway Africa-Europe Investment Package in 11 areas of mutual interest that closely aligns with priorities of the 2030 Agenda and AU Agenda 2063. Ministers encouraged the positive results and the transformational impact of the EU Global Gateway flagships, Team Europe Initiatives and AU flagships across a wide range of areas including hard and soft infrastructure in climate and energy, renewable and low carbon hydrogen, environment, economic integration, private sector investment, sustainable agriculture, transport and corridors, critical raw materials, secure connectivity and digital transformation, health security and universal health coverage, value addition, job creation and skills development, education, sustainable financing, innovation and youth empowerment. Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the transformative impact of these investments, namely mobilising public finance and private capital and expertise.
 
Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to scale up cooperation on the blue economy, including in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), food security and nutrition, and the sustainable development of both continents. Ministers welcomed concrete progress on infrastructure development through the Global Gateway and its financing mechanisms. Ministers recognised the importance of capacity-building for SIDS, in support of resilient transport, connectivity, and sustainable development needs. EU-AU cooperation also extends beyond the Global Gateway strategy, particularly in fragile contexts.
 
Ministers welcomed progress in the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the support provided by the Team Europe Initiative on economic integration in this context. Ministers underscored that the establishment of a continental free trade area, the strengthening of economic integration and sustainable development of regional value chains and fostering trade in higher value-added goods and services, are key for the prosperity of both continents. It is believed that this dynamic would support job creation, particularly for women and young people, improve the business environment and investment climate and strengthen inclusive growth and sustainable development to ensure long-term stability and shared benefits. The AfCFTA represents an important opportunity to increase and diversify trade and investment across the African continent, particularly in strategic sectors. Ministers committed to continue advancing greater economic integration, and supporting the effective and inclusive implementation of the AfCFTA, that will foster greater economic exchange between the two continents.
 
Ministers pledged to use all avenues possible to strengthen and diversify their economic and trade relations, to boost resilient and sustainable value chains, and to stimulate regional integration, with the aim of achieving sustainable growth and the creation of decent jobs, as well as promoting fair, competitive and resilient economies. The existing trade arrangements between the EU and African countries, including the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) can contribute to strengthening and deepening of trade and economic development between the two continents. The EU and AU countries will continue to build on these arrangements to further increase trade and investment relations. Ministers noted international initiatives on investment facilitation, including the proposed WTO Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement.
 
Ministers took note of the adoption of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda and encouraged researchers and innovators to continue driving their scientific discoveries and innovative solutions for the benefit of sustainable economies and societies.

Ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to universal access to sustainable, affordable and modern energy in line with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 and AU Agenda 2063. Ministers commended the strategic AU-EU cooperation on key continental initiatives such as the African Single Electricity Market (AfSEM), the Continental Power Systems Masterplan (CMP), the African Energy Efficiency Strategy (AfEES), the Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility (GRMF) and the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), supported through the Africa-Europe Green Energy Initiative (AEGEI), Continental Energy Programme for Africa (CEPA). These initiatives play a critical role in enabling regional power trade, attracting renewable energy investments, and fostering inclusive green industrialization and economic growth. Ministers committed to advancing Africa’s renewable and low carbon hydrogen potential as a catalyst for clean energy transition with due consideration of the priorities of African countries. Ministers noted the need for stronger institutional and regulatory frameworks and welcomed EU-AU collaboration in expanding off-grid solutions and rural electrification through the Africa-Europe Energy Partnership and initiatives such as ‘Scaling up Renewables in Africa’ campaign and through cooperation with the African Development Bank and World Bank’s M300 Initiative. Ministers called for scaling up clean energy finance, including guarantees, blended finance, and green bonds and emphasised the importance of promoting local manufacturing, empowering women and youth in energy enterprises, and enhancing technology transfer. Ministers called for an energy transition that is fair, just, and equitable.

In recognition of the growing importance of resilient and sustainable health systems, Ministers appreciated the valuable partnership in combating pandemics on the African continent, particularly with the EU’s Global Gateway Support for vaccine manufacturing. In the spirit of deepening the EU-AU partnership, Ministers highlighted the urgency of advancing key health priorities critical to the shared prosperity and well-being of our peoples. Strengthening regulatory systems through the operationalization of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) remains a cornerstone of ensuring equitable access to safe, quality, and affordable medicines across Africa. Additionally, in light of shifting global health dynamics, accelerating the implementation of the Africa Leadership Meeting Declaration on Investing in Health is critical to securing sustainable health financing. Ministers further emphasized the importance of fully implementing the AU Roadmap to 2030 and Beyond. The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment through delivering on joint health-related Team Europe Initiatives (TEIs) together with the Africa CDC as mentioned in the Joint Monitoring Report that are aligned with AU strategies to strengthen primary health care and move towards Universal Health Coverage, as well as the EU Global Health Strategy.

Renewed and enhanced cooperation on peace, security and governance
 
Ministers expressed their concern about the current threats to peace, security and governance and reaffirmed their commitment to democratic principles, the rule of law, human rights, good governance, the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of any state, gender equality and justice. They also expressed concern about foreign information manipulation and interference. In times when both our continents are facing major conflicts with millions of people displaced, Ministers stressed the need to seek peaceful solutions to conflicts through dialogue, mediation and preventive diplomacy, as well as development cooperation. Ministers welcomed EU-AU dialogue and cooperation on these matters.
 
Ministers shared deep concerns over the growing humanitarian challenges, including the consequences of conflict on civilians especially the most vulnerable groups, including children, elderly people, people with disabilities and displaced people, and reaffirmed their commitment to support the African Humanitarian Agency (AfHA), to effectively address the complex and multi-dimensional drivers of crises including climate change impact, environmental degradation, and water related conflicts, while promoting International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law, ensuring Humanitarian access, coordinating humanitarian assistance to reach people in need and fostering long-term resilience strategies through enhancing the Humanitarian-Development Nexus.

Ministers took note of joint efforts and initiatives to address challenges such as political instability and armed conflicts, terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism, transnational organised crime, including drug trafficking, trafficking in human beings, irregular migration, disinformation, piracy, maritime insecurity, cybersecurity and hybrid threats, and climate change and its security implications. Recalling various Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) engagements in the continent, Ministers called for further, and closer, peace and security cooperation. In this context, Ministers welcomed cooperation in peacebuilding efforts as well as in peace operations at the level of the United Nations, the African Union, the Regional Economic Communities as well as other regional and bilateral initiatives. Ministers also agreed to strengthen African security, defence capabilities and stabilization, including the supply of military equipment through the European Peace Facility and the African Peace and Security Architecture. In light of its 25th anniversary, Ministers recognised the importance of implementing commitments on the Women and Youth, Peace and Security Agenda, namely to promote the participation of women and youth at all levels of peace, security and political processes.

Ministers welcomed ongoing cooperation between the two continents on enhancing maritime security in the Ocean and sea bordering Africa and Europe. Ministers renewed their commitment to maintaining a rules-based maritime order in accordance with the principles of international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and called for greater exchange of information, improvement of operational coordination and provision of enforcement capacity to protect sea lanes and combat transnational crimes including drug trafficking and piracy. Ministers committed to work together to end Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, take action to conserve and sustainably use the Ocean and sea as well as promote science-based management of marine resources.

Ministers reaffirmed their engagement to jointly address peace and security challenges in Africa. Ministers reiterated their commitment to Somalia’s security transition acknowledging EU’s support to successive AU missions in Somalia. Ministers recognised the need for adequate, predictable and sustainable international support for AUSSOM and supported the hybrid implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 2719 (2023) pertaining to the framework for financing the AU peace support operations (PSOs) by the UN. Ministers considered this is the more pressing given the multiplicity of challenges facing the Federal Government of Somalia and the need to continue supporting the government and strengthening state institutions.

Ministers stressed the importance of cooperating to address the conflict in Sudan and its repercussions. Ministers emphasized that there is no viable and sustainable military solution to the conflict and that only a genuine, inclusive dialogue can lead to a sustainable solution to the current situation. Ministers expressed the urgency for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in order to return to negotiations and end the suffering of the Sudanese people. Ministers reiterated the necessity of ending the conflict and having unfettered humanitarian access across Sudan. Ministers are committed to respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sudan, safeguarding state institutions. Ministers are looking forward to an inclusive Sudanese-owned and led political process, to be held namely, under the auspices of the AU/IGAD convened political dialogue process.

Ministers expressed their grave concerns about the worsening conflict and insecurity in the Eastern DRC, exacerbated by the humanitarian situation resulting from violence and human rights violations. Ministers reiterated their support for the AU led mediation by the President of the Council of the Republic of Togo, H.E. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe, South African Development Community (SADC) and East African Community (EAC) initiatives as well as other complementary peace initiatives conducted under the auspices of Qatar and USA, respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC.

Enhanced and reciprocal partnership for migration and mobility

Ministers recognised that, if well managed in line with national needs and competences, migration can be an opportunity, and a catalyst for economic, social and human development of both the sending and the host states. Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the dignity, safety, and human rights of all migrants, regardless of status, in line with obligations under international law and human rights frameworks. Ministers encouraged comprehensive, tailor-made and mutually beneficial partnerships with key countries of origin, transit and destination in a whole of route approach, covering all aspects of migration. This approach includes protecting and assisting forcibly displaced persons, as well as host communities. Ministers aimed to achieve durable solutions and address the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement through inclusive growth and sustainable development. Ministers stressed the importance of supporting countries of origin by investing in the youth through capacity building, mentorship, education, vocational training, employment and socio-economic development initiatives that empower young people within the countries of origin. Ministers agreed to work to strengthen migration governance and management. Ministers committed to foster cooperation on effective, safe, timely, and dignified return, readmission, and sustainable reintegration including promoting voluntary return, in full respect of international obligations as well as bilateral agreements. Ministers emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation in matters of migration in the framework of the EU-AU Migration and Mobility Dialogue (MMD) and in coordination with AU Migration Organs/mechanisms including the African Migration Observatory in Morocco, the African Center for the Study and research on Migration in Mali and the Continental Operational Center in Sudan. Additionally, Ministers will combat migrant smuggling and human trafficking, with a strong focus on prevention. Ministers stressed the importance of supporting countries of transit through capacity building in border management, fight against traffickers and reception of migrants and refugees.

Ministers agreed to promote the integration of regular migrants while considering the needs of people in vulnerable situations. A particular focus will be on enhancing existing legal pathways for migration and mobility, including for students, researchers as well as apprentices in line with national competences. Ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to jointly address the challenges posed by the brain drain, through mutually beneficial solutions,notably circular migration. In this regard, Ministers urged for further engagement on education and mobility programmes to promote inclusive talent partnerships and mutual recognition of qualifications, to further expand access to student and academic exchanges, mutual skills recognition and digital education platforms that support youth and early-career professionals in building competencies across Africa and Europe. Ministers also agreed to enhance collaboration through programs such as Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, ARISE and bilateral initiatives for scientific excellence.

Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to resettlement of refugees. Ministers recognised the engagement of the diaspora, its positive contribution to the sustainable development of the two continents and undertook to work together to address effectively relevant legal obstacles that may affect its role in Africa’s development. Ministers commended and acknowledged the positive contribution of migration dialogues between the two continents and promoted their synergy, notably the Joint Valletta Action Plan, the Rabat Process, the Khartoum Process, the Continent-to-Continent Migration and Mobility Dialogue, as well as the Rome Process, the AU Horn of Africa Initiative, and the joint AU-EU-UN Tripartite Task Force. Ministers underscored the importance of inclusive, transparent, and continuous dialogue to build trust and shared responsibility contributing to shared prosperity from migration.

A stronger commitment to multilateralism

Ministers emphasized that in tackling common global challenges African and European countries together can play a decisive and transformative role in multilateral fora. Ministers thus reaffirmed their commitment to protect and promote inclusive and effective multilateralism, and a rules-based international order, as well as to work through greater dialogue and cooperation towards stronger alignment in multilateral fora on issues of mutual interest. Ministers renewed their commitment to the Pact for the Future, which is a crucial step towards revitalising the UN and to achieve the SDGs including through the reform of the International Financial Architecture. They welcomed cooperation with all stakeholders to ensure its effective implementation and expressed their desire for an ambitious post-Agenda 2030 framework. Ministers appreciated ongoing efforts to increase the inclusivity and effectiveness of the multilateral system, with the United Nations at its core, reforming global governance mechanisms, including the UN Security Council in order to make it more representative, inclusive, transparent, efficient, effective, democratic and accountable namely by redressing the historical injustice against Africa as a priority. The EU was informed about the role of the African Union’s Committee of Ten (C-10) Heads of State and Government in advocating and mobilizing support for the Common African Position on the reform of the UN. Ministers agreed to work together on the UN80 initiative to reform the UN and to improve its efficiency, cost-effectiveness and financial sustainability. Ministers further reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the Peacebuilding Commission through the 2025 review of the peacebuilding architecture.

Ministers commended the cooperation between the A3+ and the EU Members of the UN Security Council on international peace and security.

Ministers reaffirmed their shared belief in the transformative role of education, culture, science and communication as pillars of peace, dialogue and sustainable development, and underscored the important role of UNESCO. Both shared the vision on the transformative role of education as a human right and supported the achievement of SDG 4 “Education for All and For the Future”. The EU was informed about the African Union endorsed candidate, Professor Khaled El Enany for the position of Director-General of UNESCO for the period 2025-2029, during the elections to take place in the last quarter of 2025 in Paris, France.

Ministers renewed their commitment to inclusive and transparent governance reforms that strengthen the representation, accountability and effectiveness of key institutions. Ministers reaffirmed their shared support to the rules-based multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at its core. Ministers emphasized the importance that the WTO remains responsive to the structural challenges and development needs of developing and least-developed countries. Ministers will work together towards a meaningful, balanced and inclusive outcome of the 14th Ministerial Conference in Cameroon in 2026. Ministers looked forward to an ambitious and action-oriented outcome of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development to be held in Seville on 30 June - 3 July 2025. The EU and the AU will continue to seek common ground in these negotiations and commit to harnessing the potential of all stakeholders in encouraging sustainable investments in Africa. Ministers look forward to a successful World Summit for Social Development in Doha on 4-6 November 2025.

Ministers welcomed the permanent seat of the AU in the G20. Ministers welcomed cooperation of both Unions as full members within the G20, under South Africa’s ongoing presidency and agreed to work together for an action-oriented outcome under South Africa theme for the G20, ‘Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability’. Ministers will strengthen their collaboration at the G20 in support of our joint priorities including the G20 Compact with Africa and ensuring its synergies with other initiatives contributing to a sound business and investment environment in partner countries.

Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate to combat illicit financial flows namely including in line with International Financial Action Task Force standards such as the instrumental role of regional-style bodies. Ministers welcomed cooperation in the framework of the Team Europe Initiative on Illicit Financial Flows and Transnational Crime. Ministers agreed on the necessity for the two Parties to work collaboratively on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT). Ministers exchanged on the challenges of the credit rating faced by African countries in order to facilitate access to low-cost capital and to sustainable and affordable finance. Ministers underlined the importance of the involvement of private business and finance. Ministers reaffirmed the importance of domestic resource mobilisation and their commitment to contribute to reform the international tax architecture.

Ministers supported the development of human-centric Artificial Intelligence (AI) that respects human rights and managing the future of work together. With the Global Digital Compact in mind and with the emergence of new technologies, Ministers intend to prevent new digital divides. Ministers agreed to work together to support a single market for data in Africa as part of the AfCFTA and underlined the importance of secure connectivity in and between Africa and the EU. Ministers therefore called for enhanced efforts to develop regional innovation ecosystems, including the establishment of artificial intelligence strategies and digital governance frameworks, as well as safe, secure and trustworthy AI development and research partnerships.

Ministers reaffirmed their strong commitment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement and called for the full achievement of its goals and principles, including equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different national circumstances. They reiterated the need for scaling-up climate finance flows to support adaptation and resilience as well as mitigation and loss and damage, particularly for the most vulnerable. Ministers also emphasized the need to implement the CMA6 Decision on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG). In line with the first global stock take (GST 1), they acknowledged the need to implement the global efforts agreed in pursuit of keeping the 1.5°C goal within reach, and submitting ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and adaptation communications, taking into account different national circumstances and capacities. Ministers further recognized the critical importance of supporting mitigation and adaptation, disaster risk management and early warning in Africa, particularly for communities in the most vulnerable situations in developing countries, including through technology transfer, capacity-building, loss and damage funding arrangements, including a fund, as decided at COP28. Ministers also agreed to accelerate climate action globally.

Ministers reiterated their commitment to full and swift implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the need to ensure coherence between climate and biodiversity action. Ministers will promote efforts to preserve the Ocean, including through the 3rd UN Ocean Conference in Nice in June 2025 and through the implementation of the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). They further reaffirmed their determination to work with African partners towards meeting the objectives of the various African initiatives on climate change and resilience building namely the Africa Adaptation Initiative, the African Agriculture Adaptation Initiative, the Island Climate Commission, the Congo Basin Commission, the Sahel Commission and the Africa Renewable Energy Initiative. Ministers will continue to work together to address the impact of climate change on countries and to bridge their climate financing gap through an enabling environment to unlock climate investments and a reform of the climate finance architecture. Ministers also underscored the need to continue working together to address water scarcity, to prevent desertification, deforestation and forest degradation, and to support afforestation and agroforestry. Ministers welcomed the convening of the 2nd Africa Climate Summit in September 2025 in Addis Ababa, to be hosted jointly by Ethiopia and the AU Commission, as part of our global climate engagement. Ministers also welcomed the convening of the 1st Africa Biodiversity Summit to be hosted by the Republic of Botswana in October 2025.

Ministers recognized the importance of inclusive dialogue on ensuring that the enduring contributions and experiences of Africans and people of African descent are acknowledged, respected, and meaningfully integrated into global development frameworks where appropriate. They took note that the AU Theme for the year 2025 is “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations”.

Ministers welcomed the role that Youth and Civil Society play in promoting the rule of law, democracy, human rights, stability and the achievement of the SDGs, and reaffirmed the importance of protecting and enabling civic space, including the work of human rights defenders in compliance with international and national law. Ministers acknowledged the contributions by the Youth, Civil Society, Local authorities, and the Parliaments and encouraged all relevant stakeholders to continue to engage towards the AU-EU Partnership.

Ministers agreed to reconvene in 2027, in Africa.